Reddening of the cheeks

Diffuse flushing of cheeks that usually occurs in liver-kidney yīn depletion with vacuity fire flaming upward. Reddening of the cheeks is often seen in enduring illness and consumption. It usually recurs in the afternoon (hence also the term tidal reddening of the face) and is associated with tidal heat, vexing heat in the five hearts, red tongue with little liquid, and a forceless rapid fine pulse.

NB: The term reddening of the cheeks is not conventionally used to denote rosy cheeks of healthy individuals.

Medicinal therapy: Enrich yīn and subdue yáng. Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill (知柏地黄丸 zhī bǎi dì huáng wán) plus abalone shell (Haliotidis Concha, 石决明 shí jué míng) and oyster shell (Ostreae Concha, 牡蛎 mǔ lì).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on KI and LR. Needle with supplementation at BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng), KI-6 (Shining Sea, 照海 zhào hǎi), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), and with drainage at KI-1 (Gushing Spring, 湧泉 yǒng quán), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion, 少府 shào fǔ), LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng), and LR-2 (Moving Between, 行间 xíng jiān).

See red facial complexion.